Navigation of multimedia content

Abstract

Methods and systems for navigating multimedia content are disclosed. A first plurality of selectable icons is displayed. A selection of a particular selectable icon of the first plurality of selectable icons is received. The particular selectable icon represents multimedia content associated with a particular user. In response to receiving the selection of the particular selectable icon, a display of a second plurality of selectable icons is initiated. At least one of the second plurality of selectable icons represents a particular multimedia program that is associated with the particular user.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method comprising:
 sending a user interface to a device, wherein the user interface includes information associated with display of a plurality of selectable icons, wherein a first icon of the plurality of selectable icons includes a face of a fictional character; and   in response to a selection of the first icon, sending a second user interface to the device, wherein the second user interface includes information associated with display of a second plurality of selectable icons, wherein at least one of the second plurality of selectable icons depicts a second fictional character, and wherein the at least one of the second plurality of selectable icons is associated with a plurality of multimedia programs.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one of the second plurality of selectable icons includes a face of the second fictional character. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second fictional character appears in at least one of the plurality of multimedia programs. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the device is a set-top box, a computer, or a television. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the user interface and the second user interface are sent from a server to the device via a network. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the network includes the Internet. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 in response to a selection of the at least one of the second plurality of selectable icons, sending a third user interface to the device, wherein the third user interface includes a third plurality of selectable icons associated with the plurality of multimedia programs.   
     
     
         8 . A method comprising:
 sending a user interface to a device, wherein the user interface includes information associated with display of a plurality of selectable icons, wherein a first icon of the plurality of selectable icons includes a first image of a first fictional character;   in response to a selection of the first icon, sending a second user interface to the device, wherein the second user interface includes information associated with display of a second plurality of selectable icons, wherein at least one of the second plurality of selectable icons includes a second image of a second fictional character, and wherein the at least one of the second plurality of selectable icons is associated with a plurality of multimedia programs; and   in response to a selection of the at least one of the second plurality of selectable icons, sending a third user interface to the device, wherein the third user interface includes information associated with display of a third plurality of selectable icons, and wherein each selectable icon of the third plurality of selectable icons is selectable to initiate playback of a particular multimedia program of the plurality of multimedia programs.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein initiating playback of the particular multimedia program comprises:
 accessing a copy of the particular multimedia program that is stored at a server; and   streaming the copy of the particular multimedia program from the server to the device.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the first image of the first fictional character includes at least a face of an animal. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the animal is a bear or a mouse. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising associating the first image of the first fictional character with the first icon in response to a request received from the device to modify a user profile associated with the first icon. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the second fictional character appears in at least one multimedia program of the plurality of multimedia programs. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the second fictional character is a favorite character of a younger viewer. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the second fictional character is a cartoon character. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the sending of the first user interface to the device is responsive to a first input received from an input device associated with the device;   the sending of the second user interface is responsive to a second input received from the input device; and   the sending of the third user interface is responsive to a third input received from the input device.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the device is a television, and wherein the input device includes a remote control. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the device is a computer, and wherein the input device is communicatively coupled to the computer. 
     
     
         19 . A computer-readable storage device storing instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:
 sending a user interface to a device, wherein the user interface includes information associated with display of a plurality of selectable icons, wherein a first icon of the plurality of selectable icons includes a face of a first fictional character;   in response to a selection of the first icon, sending a second user interface to the device, wherein the second user interface includes information associated with display of a second plurality of selectable icons, wherein at least one of the second plurality of selectable icons includes a face of a second fictional character, wherein the at least one of the second plurality of selectable icons is associated with a plurality of multimedia programs, and wherein the second fictional character appears in at least one of the multimedia programs; and   in response to a selection of the at least one of the second plurality of selectable icons, sending a third user interface to the device, wherein the third user interface includes information associated with display of a third plurality of selectable icons, and wherein each selectable icon of the third plurality of selectable icons is selectable to initiate playback of a particular multimedia program of the plurality of multimedia programs.   
     
     
         20 . The computer-readable storage device of  claim 19 , wherein the first icon is modifiable to include a face of a different fictional character.